Influence of RRA Treatment on the Microstructure and Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of the Spray-Formed 7075 Alloy

The effects of retrogression under pre-aging on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and stress corrosion cracking behavior of spray-formed 7075 aluminum alloys were investigated by the transmission electron microscopy, tensile tests, and slow strain rate tests. The results show that as a result of aging at 120°C for 16 h (as pre-aging), the strength of the alloy can be preserved on a high level and the grainboundary precipitates are discrete after retrogression and re-aging treatment. However, the retrogression treatment is uncontrollable by the shortened retrogression period. After retrogression at 200°C for 8 min and re-aging, the ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and the stress corrosion cracking index of the alloy are 791 MPa, 8.5% and 0.155, respectively.